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European survey of measuring natural radioactivity in building materials
Get PDFThe Joint Research Centre of the European Commission organised a proficiency test (PT) on the measurements of natural radioactivity (U-238, Ra-226, Pb-210, Th-232, Ra-228, Th-228 and K-40) in two building materials. The 105 registered laboratories were requested to submit measurement results using their routine analytical procedure. In addition, participants were requested to provide information about their organisation, routine applied procedure and future PT needs via two on-line questionnaires. The first questionnaire was sent during registration and the other one was connected to submission of measurement results for the PT. Out of 105 laboratories, 96 submitted at least one measurement-result and 85 submitted the detailed reporting-survey. These questionnaires provide valuable information that can be used to identify pitfalls, best practices and to improve analytical procedures in radiological laboratories. In addition, participants had the opportunity to give feedback on the PT and express their wishes which radionuclides and matrices they would consider useful in the future PTs. The most requested matrices were NORMs and water followed by air-filter and soil. In these matrices natural radionuclides are the most wanted ones, but there is a clear interest in artificial/transuranic radionuclides too. We can also conclude that this PT sets the standard for future radiological PTs on building materials as information on realistic expectations on measurement accuracy amongst monitoring laboratories can be established.JRC.G.II.6 - Nuclear Data and Measurement Standard
Measurement of the neutron spectrum of the 51V(p,n)51Cr reaction at 1585 keV
No full textNeutron production by 51V(p,n)51Cr reaction close to the reaction threshold is interesting for its pure production of neutrons at low kiloelectronvolts. In this work, for the first time, the angle-dependent neutron spectrum is measured close to the threshold, particularly at 1585-keV proton energy only 20 keV above the reaction threshold. The experiment was performed at the MONNET facility (JRC Geel), employing the Time-Of-Flight technique and a thick Vanadium target. The 7Li(p,n)7Be reaction near the threshold was also measured and used as a reference and in a neutron transmission measurement for self-absorption correction. The angular-dependent energy spectra for the 51V(p,n)51Cr have been obtained and the integrated energy spectrum is presented. Their resulting spectrum reveals a pronounce peak at (6.49 ± 0.04) keV.JRC.G.II.6 - Nuclear Data and Measurement Standard
Plasma-delay studies on heavy ion detection using PIPS at the LOHENGRIN recoil separator
No full textThe VERDI fission spectrometer is designed to measure fragment velocities and kinetic energies to achieve high-precision yield measurements. It consists of two time-of-flight (TOF) sections, each hosting a micro-channel plate (MCP) and up to 32 passivated implanted planar silicon (PIPS) detectors. The main challenge to achieve accurate fragment velocities is the so-called plasma delay time (PDT) phenomena in the PIPS detectors. In this work, we present a dedicated experimental campaign at the LOHENGRIN fission-fragment recoil separator, to solve the pending PDT challenges. The PDT effect was systematically investigated, as a function of mass and energy, using a dedicated time-of-flight setup. In addition, the pulse height defect (PHD) was determined, simultaneously. The studies were conducted for five PIPS detectors, in energies and mass numbers ranging from 20 to 110 MeV and A = 85 to 149, respectively. Using digital signal processing, an excellent timing resolution was achieved, reaching as low as 60 ps (one σ) for the heavy ions. The PDT revealed a strong positive correlation with the ion energy and a weak negative correlation with the mass. The experimental PDT values determined from five detectors confirm a consistent systematic behavior with respect to mass and energy. Some systematic discrepancies were exhibited by two detectors, possibly due to the use of different pre-amplification chains. The PDT measurements ranged between 1 and 3.5 ns, for heavy ions relative to α-particles. The PHD values showed also a strong correlation with the ion energy, and moreover with the ion mass. The PHD for heavy ions was found to range between 2 and 8 MeV, relative to α-particles. Finally, a two-dimensional parameterisation was developed to model the experimental PDT data, as a function of mass and energy. This new model, which is valid in the fission fragment mass and energy regime, will be of benefit for heavy-ion velocity measurements, using silicon detectors, as done in VERDI.JRC.G.II.6 - Nuclear Data and Measurement Standard
Targets under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive
Get PDFThe Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) aims to achieve Good Environmental Status (GES) in European marine waters. Environmental targets are essential for implementing the MSFD, and their effectiveness relies on them being specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound. This study analyses the targets set by Member States (MS) across MSFD Descriptors and marine regions to inform the upcoming review of the MSFD.
An analysis of MS reports on targets (Art.10) from the second MSFD reporting cycle was conducted, focusing on the specificity and measurability of targets. Targets were categorised into Level I (“non-specific targets” covering several Descriptors) and Level II (Descriptor-specific targets), which were further classified into four categories based on their text descriptions and purpose (“pressure reduction targets”, “targets linked to thresholds values”, “targets linked to trends”, “targets linked to measures”). Within each of these categories, “quantitative targets” were identified based on their descriptions.
The analysis showed that 90% of Level I targets and 71% of Level II targets lack measurable goals. Level II targets for Descriptors D5 and D9 showed the highest proportion of “quantitative targets” (89% and 85%, respectively). The Northeast Atlantic region led in both number and specificity of targets, while other regions, such as the Black and Mediterranean Seas, lagged in setting quantitative targets. The results are presented as percentages due to the varying number of targets reported by each MS, which made it challenging to establish a direct correlation with the total number of targets.
The study highlights the need for improvement in target setting and reporting under the MSFD, particularly in terms of quantification, harmonisation, and specificity.JRC.D.2 - Ocean and Wate
20 Years of Successful Cooperation between the JRC and Spain
No full text20 years providing scientific evidence and knowledge to improve the development of Spanish spent fuel program for geological disposal.JRC.02 - Euratom Coordinatio
EU Water Media Discourse Analysis
Get PDFWe used the European Media Monitor to collect relevant articles related to water and explored how media outlets in the most spoken six languages (German, Spanish, French, Italian, Polish, Dutch) covering 8 Member States in the EU are reporting on water. The objective was to understand how the media discusses water and what issues are capturing public attention, which can be critical for setting priorities. Another goal was to anticipate areas of public concern, controversy, and opportunities and identify cross-country homogeneities and heterogeneities in the media discourse. By highlighting the dominant narratives and gaps in coverage, media analysis can indicate where public discourse might be lacking or misaligned with policy needs. Our main findings are as follows: 1) In EU media, water is most associated with natural disasters like droughts (water scarcity) and floods (water excess) both viewed negatively. This highlights the public's focus on water conservation and disaster preparedness. 2) About a quarter of articles emphasize the positive role of water in sustainable development, particularly through technology and innovation in areas like energy, water management, and climate change. 3) Media coverage shows a contrast between German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria), which focus on renewable energy and technology, and Mediterranean countries (France, Italy, Spain), which emphasize water management due to regional challenges like water scarcity and pollution. This reflects diverse environmental challenges and policy needs. 4) Along with energy, agriculture and food production are also significant topics, especially in countries like Spain and the Netherlands. This highlights water's crucial role in food production and the need for targeted actions across sectors to raise awareness and address water issues effectively. JRC.S.1 - EU Policy Lab: Foresight, Design & Behavioural Insight
Agri-food data spaces: Highlighting the need for a farm-centered strategy
No full textThis paper explores the potential of digitalisation in agriculture to improve the sustainability of agriculture production and industrial sectors, contributing to the twin digital and green transition. These systems can facilitate and enhance competitiveness by leveraging on mutually reinforcing transformations. The European Commission has proposed the creation of Common European Data Spaces in specific sectors to support such a transition. We focus on the agri-food domain, considering farmers and other actors in the food chain. The aim is to identify needs, priorities, opportunities, and barriers to a Common European Data Space for agriculture and food systems, thus going beyond the sectoral European Data Space for agriculture already under current development. In addition, this work looks at strategies for introducing the aforementioned novel data space and evidence of benefits for farmers, who are a key component of agricultural and food systems. To accomplish this, the concept of data spaces is presented, analysing main components, functions, and potential challenges and opportunities for data sharing and reuse, with the agri-food context as the main focus. It also presents current and future scenarios for data use at different decision-making levels, focusing on the specific role of farmers in the digital ecosystem. Additionally, it outlines the basic principles for an inclusive agri-food data strategy.JRC.D.5 - Food Securit
Preparing European freshwaters for a saltier future
Get PDFThis report aims to address the overlooked issue of increasing salinization in European water bodies, which poses a threat to biodiversity, ecosystem integrity and food and water security. Using a European-wide dataset that includes information on salinity, salinization drivers, and aquatic macroinvertebrate communities (selected as a potential Biological Quality Element for monitoring salinization's impact) we explore ecologically relevant salinity criteria and identify potential salinization indicators. We also assess the potential interactions between salinization and climate change in freshwater ecosystems focusing on the Oder River and Turkish lakes as two case studies. In this report policy-makers and water managers can find a model-based extent of river salinization at the EU-scale, invertebrate-based metrics to monitor freshwater salinization, salinization criteria that can protect freshwater biodiversity and information on the potential interaction of salinization and climate change in rivers and lakes. There is an important take-home message from this report: we need to develop standards for salinization (i.e. increase in salinity) rather than for salinity per se. This is because salinity has both natural and anthropogenic causes, but the effect that they have on biota is very different. Also, the changes in relative ion concentrations could be even more important than the differences in total salinity. This is because different ions have different toxicities. Thus, ion-specific standards should be developed taking into account natural ion mixtures and the ecological impacts derived from their alteration.JRC.D.2 - Ocean and Wate
Gathering users and developers to shape together the next-generation ocean reanalyses
No full textIt is the first time that reanalysis producers and users have gathered together to discuss the developments needed within the next generation of ocean reanalyses. Users’ long-term priorities (e.g. longer period, higher resolution, uncertainty quantification, and quality, specific formats to serve more communities of users) are clear as stated in the user survey and invited presentations. The review of current ocean reanalyses and plans indicates that producers are progressing in the right direction to fulfill users’ needs by increasing the horizontal resolution or extending the time series. However, to compensate for the high cost of computing power, multi-streams of ocean reanalyses are needed to meet users' preferences further. Several weaknesses of ocean reanalyses have been identified; biases and uncertainty in the ocean reanalyses should be estimated and reduced, with several specific examples provided in the previous sections. Finally, to improve ocean reanalyses, we need to work closely with different communities (atmospheric reanalyses, ocean modeling, data assimilation, and observations) to identify the best approach. The emerging needs (e.g., digital twins of the ocean) and new technologies (e.g., Artificial Intelligence) provide the ocean reanalysis community with challenges and opportunities for future development.JRC.E.1 - Disaster Risk Managemen
Consumption Footprint and Domestic Footprint Monitoring Report 2024
Get PDFThe European Commission - Joint Research Centre developed a framework including the Consumption Footprint (CF) and the Domestic Footprint (DF) models, which have become established as a means for monitoring progress of EU environmental performance. These models are based on life cycle assessment (LCA) principles, and employ the Environmental Footprint (EF) method to produce a set of 16 indicators (available also as single weighted score) to assess the environmental impacts of EU production and consumption, and can be compared with the planetary boundaries. This report presents the latest methodological updates and results of these models in the context of monitoring EU performance. The DF combines official statistics and modelled data regarding resource extraction and emissions to the environment within the EU territory from the year 2000 to 2022. The CF is a full bottom-up LCA model making use of 164 representative products and official statistics for 2010-2022 to assess the environmental impacts (including biodiversity footprint) of five areas of consumption (food, mobility, housing, household goods, appliances), thus accounting for both production and trade.
The EU CF has increased by 9% from 2010 to 2022 (as a single score), with food consumption being the primary driver of environmental impacts, followed by housing (especially for space heating) and mobility (mainly due to the use of private cars), while the EU DF decreased (-29% as a single score). These two opposite trends highlight the role of the EU-27 as a net importer of environmental impacts that occur in third countries.JRC.D.3 - Land Resources and Supply Chain Assessment